Evolutionary Origins of Cognition in Crocodiles

2026-07-22

Crocodiles, known to be dangerous predators with powerful jaws and agile inhabitants of aquatic environments, may hide surprisingly high cognitive abilities. Previous studies have revealed that crocodiles can learn quickly and have effective short-term memory, strong spatial memory and cognitive flexibility in communication. However, these insights remain sporadic, hampered by the logistical challenges of their remote habitats, financial constraints, and less public and scientific interest than more charismatic species. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, EvOCRO aims to change the game by proposing these reptiles as a non-traditional model species to explore their cognitive abilities in more detail. This project seeks to understand the evolution of cognitive plasticity by studying crocodile cognition at different life stages, considering individual differences and comparing it with other species. By integrating methodologies from behavioural ecology, comparative psychology, animal cognition and evolutionary biology, EvOCRO will provide a holistic understanding of crocodile cognition. The project involves a major collaboration with Mexican research institutions, leading to an interdisciplinary approach to advance scientific knowledge and real-world applications in conservation strategies and animal welfare. Among the key aspects of EvOCRO we find not only the communication of results through publications and conferences to involve the scientific community but also the participation in public awareness events and conferences to engage and educate the wider community. EvOCRO sheds light on the cognitive abilities of crocodiles, aiming to provide valuable insights into cognitive evolution and inform conservation efforts by highlighting the importance, impact and timeliness of this research.

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-03-01